Flowerdale Community Expo

Climate Adaptation National Research Flagship

Michael Ambrose
2 April 2009
What is Sustainable Design?

Integrated Storm-
Water /Waste
Water
System
Sustainable design and CSIRO

Previous work
• Developed the NatHERS/AccuRate energy efficiency
software used in the Building Code of Australia regulations
• Testing of building materials to assess their performance
• Developed the “Your Development” guide for creating
sustainable neighbourhoods
• Creating assessment processes to determine the
sustainability of our homes and communities
• Currently constructing the first zero emission home for the
mainstream housing market
Energy Efficient Design – Passive Design

Passive Design Principles
9Design for climate
9Orientation
9Shading
9Passive solar heating
9Passive cooling
9Insulation
9Thermal Mass
9Glazing
 Orientation and shading
• Living spaces to the north
• Bedroom/utility spaces to the
south
• Minimise west facing glazing
• Capture cooling summer
breezes

• Exclude summer sun

• Admit winter sun
• Shading devices
• Eaves
• Louvers and shutters
• Awnings and blinds
• Trees
 Passive heating and cooling
38% of energy consumed in a house is due to heating and cooling

Passive Heating - keep summer

sun out and allow winter sun in

All Australian climates require

some degree of cooling

Understand your regional climate and how various

features (topographic and man made) influence
the microclimate of your site.
Insulation and thermal mass

• Higher the R value the better the

thermal performance
• Insulate under roof, ceiling, walls
and suspended floors
• Thermal mass located inside the
insulated building envelope
• Leave thermal mass exposed
• Locate in north facing rooms
Renewable energy

• Solar
• Photovoltaic (PV) modules
• Solar Thermal
• Wind turbines
• Commercial
• Community
• Domestic
• Biomass
• Mini Hydro
• Cogeneration plants
Sustainable Ecosystems
Michael Ambrose
Environmental Scientist

Phone: 03 9252 6200

Email: michael.ambrose@csiro.au
Web: www.cse.csiro.au

Thank you
Contact Us
Phone: 1300 363 400 or +61 3 9545 2176
Email: Enquiries@csiro.au Web: www.csiro.au